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IB DP Philosophy SL Study Notes

6.1.3 Arguments Against the Existence of God

Engaging with critical perspectives on theistic beliefs, we investigate the philosophical challenges to the existence of God, focusing on the argument from evil, the omnipotence paradox, and the argument concerning inconsistent revelations.

Argument from Evil

The argument from evil critically examines the reconciliation of God's defined attributes with the existence of evil in the world.

Logical Problem of Evil

  • Contradictory Attributes: Proposes that the traditional theistic attributes of God are incompatible with the observable existence of evil.
  • J.L. Mackie's Inconsistency: Argues it is logically inconsistent to hold all the following propositions as true:
    • God is omnipotent (all-powerful).
    • God is omnibenevolent (all-good).
    • Evil exists.

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FAQ

One might counter the argument from inconsistent revelations without appealing to a particular religious tradition by invoking the concept of religious non-realism. This perspective holds that religious statements and beliefs do not correspond to an external divine reality but instead reflect human expressions of moral ideals, communal identity, and individual psychology. From this viewpoint, the inconsistency of revelations is not a problem, as it is expected that different cultures and individuals will have varied expressions and experiences. Religious non-realism posits that these expressions serve practical, societal, or psychological purposes rather than describing a literal deity. Thus, inconsistent revelations may be seen as culturally relative narratives that shape ethical and social frameworks rather than factual claims about a universal divine entity.

Gratuitous evil refers to suffering that appears to serve no possible good and is beyond what would be necessary for any moral or spiritual development. The existence of gratuitous evil supports the argument from evil by challenging the notion that all suffering is part of a divine plan or has a greater purpose. If there is evil that seems utterly pointless or excessive, it becomes difficult to reconcile this with the existence of an all-loving and all-powerful God. This type of evil seems to contradict the idea of a benevolent deity who would prevent unnecessary suffering. Proponents of the argument from evil claim that the presence of gratuitous evil provides empirical evidence against the claim that an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God orchestrates the events of the world.

The notion that God cannot perform logically impossible actions is often seen as a limitation on omnipotence. However, many philosophers argue that true omnipotence does not require the ability to do the logically impossible. They suggest that omnipotence should be understood as the power to do anything that is logically possible. This definition preserves God's omnipotence because it does not diminish His power; rather, it acknowledges the coherence of His power within the bounds of logical consistency. Under this view, God remains omnipotent as He can actualise any state of affairs that does not entail a logical contradiction.

The argument from evil, especially when considering its impact on religious practices like supplication and prayer, presents a challenging implication: if God is not willing or able to prevent evil, then what is the efficacy of prayer in effecting change in the world? If evil persists despite an omnipotent deity's power to stop it, the act of supplication might seem futile. Some may argue that this challenges the sincerity or usefulness of prayer. However, defenders of religious practice might counter that prayer is not primarily about changing God's will or preventing evil, but rather about aligning oneself with God's purposes, finding solace, and expressing faith. Despite this, the argument from evil certainly prompts deep reflection on the nature and purpose of prayer within a religious life that acknowledges the persistent reality of suffering.

The Omnipotence Paradox, with its focus on whether an omnipotent being can create a task it cannot perform, indirectly touches upon the concept of divine simplicity, which suggests that God's attributes are not actually distinct from His essence. Divine simplicity holds that God does not have parts or components, and His characteristics, like omnipotence, are synonymous with His being. If God is simple in this way, then the paradox might be considered a misunderstanding of the nature of divine omnipotence. An omnipotent being, under divine simplicity, would not be subject to the paradoxical constraints of creating a stone too heavy to lift, as this implies a division within God's nature between His power to create and His power to lift, which divine simplicity denies. The Omnipotence Paradox challenges this by suggesting that if God can do all things, including the logically impossible, it would seem to contradict the unity of God's nature posited by divine simplicity.

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